Thoughts for the Day

Do not judge, so that you may not be judged. For with the judgement you make you will be judged, and the measure you give will be the measure you get. Why do you see the speck in your neighbour's eye, but do not notice the log in your own eye? Or how can you say to your neighbour, "Let me take the speck out of your eye", while the log is in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your neighbour's eye.

(New Revised Standard Version

Thoughts

This parable from St Matthew's Gospel needs a cartoon picture with two people talking, one pointing out the tiny spec in the other's eye while standing there with a plank in their own eye. It's meant to be humorous and ridiculous, but it also has a serious point.

We are called to love one another, though not necessarily approve of what they do! Jesus teaches us that we will be known by the fruit we produce, so we must be allowed some kind of critical ability of ourselves and others. But equally he doesn't mean that we can go up to someone and say "I'm only saying this in love, but you shouldn't do........!"

Collie Knox, an author and journalist, tells of an incident that happened to him. He had been badly smashed up in a flying accident while serving in the Royal Flying Corps during World War I, but that day he'd been with a friend who had been decorated for gallantry at Buckingham Palace that morning. They changed into civilian clothes and were lunching at a famous London restaurant, when a girl came up and handed each of them a white feather-the badge of cowardice!

Loving another human being means putting yourself in their shoes and walking in their steps, ie knowing them really well and having some idea of why they do what they do. It also means offering counsel and help. Any judgement of them is made with love and understanding, after confessing the log in our own eye!

Monday 22nd June, follow up thoughts

Lord Jesus,
we find it all to easy to jump to conclusions;
to be critical and judge others;
and to ignore our own faults.
Give us understanding and sympathy
so that we may see the bigger picture
and learn to judge through the eyes of love.
Amen.